Bellator 93's Marcus Davis not slowing down yet, plans five fights for next year

Three years ago, Marcus Davis’ plan was to close out his career at 155 pounds and “entertain some people along the way before my old ass retires,” as he put it to MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).

Well, that didn’t take. Davis has fought six times since then, going 4-2 mostly in larger regional promotions. He plans to fight five times this year with three bouts under the Bellator banner.

On Thursday, Davis (21-9 MMA, 0-0 BFC) fights in front of a sold-out, hometown crowd when he meets Waachiim Spiritwolf (9-11 MMA, 1-2 BFC) at Bellator 93, which takes place at Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine. He was born three hours away in Houlton. The fight serves on the Spike TV portion of the event’s main-card, which follows prelims on Spike.com.

Davis’ remaining fights will be for two other promoters that, as of yet, are being kept under wraps.

Don’t think for a second that Davis isn’t aware of what an extended career in combat sports could mean for his health. He’s seen more than a few doctors during a career that’s spanned 20 years and fights in boxing, kickboxing and MMA. He knows the dangers.

“If you think all those fights haven’t shortened my life span … I’m a realist,” Davis told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio). “But it’s no different than somebody’s choice to pick up a cigarette and smoke, or pick up a beer and drink and kill some brain cells.

“My choice was that I am on this earth to fight. I chose MMA to be the business that I was involved in. That’s how I cared for my family. I accept the fact that this is what I’ve done, and I don’t want to change a damn thing about it.”

Davis plans to soldier on in his longtime weight class at 170 pounds, but said he would drop back to lightweight if he decided to compete in a Bellator tournament. He once cut a staggering 22 pounds in 12 hours to make the 155-pound limit, but now says dietary changes have eliminated the need for a hard weight cut.

For now, his plan doesn’t include committing to the three-month competition known as “the toughest tournament in sports.”

When he’s not fighting, Davis runs a successful gym in Bangor, Maine, where he trains private clients, and also has an interest in a supplement company. His wife is a nurse and also runs a dessert company out of their home. Then there are his four kids.

There’s plenty of activity in his life, but Davis can’t extinguish the passion he has for the sport.

“I don’t believe I’m a guy that’s something different or special,” he said. “I just believe that the doors have been laid in front of me, whether you believe in God or not, and I’ve walked through the doors and made some good decisions on doing some things, and I enjoy doing them.”

MMAjunkie.com Radio broadcasts Monday-Friday at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) live from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. The show is hosted by “Gorgeous” George Garcia, MMAjunkie.com lead staff reporter John Morgan and producer Brian “Goze” Garcia. For more information or to download past episodes, go to www.mmajunkie.com/radio.

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